World percussionist Tupac Mantilla returns to the 2014 SJW Jazz Institute to launch the new World Percussion @ SJW program, an intensive week of percussion study for all musicians interested in making music with drums, hand percussion, mallet instruments, body percussion, and found instruments. In collaboration with Tupac’s percussion organization Percuaction, we’re excited to present a program of world percussion study from the Global Rhythm Institute, which draws on rhythmic traditions from music cultures around the world. Tupac’s curriculum includes classes such as “The African Connection,” “Introduction to Body Percussion,” “A Western Approach to Indian Rhythmic Concepts,” “Latin Percussion,” and “A Choreographic Approach to Rhythm,” among many other topics. In addition to participating in hands-on classes focused on particular styles, you’ll get instruction on a wide variety of instruments, including cajon, djembe, shekere, bongos, congas, bells, shakers, and more. Increase your rhythmic vocabulary and ensemble skills in daily percussion ensemble rehearsals, and show the world your new cross-cultural percussive styles on the main stage at the Jazz Institute Showcase.

Tupac Mantilla has dedicated his life to exploring global rhythms, and he performs with top artists around the world, including Bobby McFerrin, Zakir Hussain, Danilo Perez, Kenny Werner, John Pattitucci, Savion Glover, Steve Smith, John Medeski, Cecil McBee, Jamey Haddad, Julian Lage, and many others. He is the founder and director of the global percussion network Percuaction and has developed with a global team of percussionists the curriculum for Percuaction’s Global Rhythm Institute. Click here to view Tupac’s faculty profile.

No audition is necessary to enroll in World Percussion @ SJW; the program is open to all musicians age 18 or older who have had at least one year of musical instruction. Musicians aged 17 and under may apply but must submit a brief essay describing their musical background and why they want to participate in the World Percussion program.